Dating apps linked to rise in plastic surgery among women

According to the 323 million people who use dating apps worldwide, they are a modern way to find love, but dating apps are provoking an obsession with cosmetic surgery that may not have a happy end.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of South Australia has shed light on the fact that women who use dating apps are far more likely to resort to cosmetic procedures and digitally alter their on-screen appearance than those who don’t use such apps.

The focus on appearance, especially in apps, has played a part in 20% of women choosing to change their appearance, particularly with dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections.

UniSA psychology graduate and practicing psychologist Naomi Burkhardt, who led the study published in the journal Computers in Human Behaviour, says that while the growing popularity of dating apps has reduced the stigma of using them to find love, there is a downside to the phenomenon.

“The visual nature of dating apps that prioritize profiles with photos puts significant pressure on users to present themselves in an idealized way that is not authentic.”

Naomi Burkhardt, Bachelor of Psychology graduate from the University of South Africa and practicing psychologist

Researchers interviewed 308 Australian women aged 18 to 72 and found that nearly half had used dating apps in the past two years, and one in five reported having had at least one cosmetic procedure.

Women who had used dating apps were significantly more likely to have had cosmetic surgery than those who had not, and those who had digitally altered their appearance were also more likely to have considered cosmetic procedures.

In addition to the pressure to improve appearance, dating apps may also be partly responsible for the rise in overall body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, anxiety and low self-esteem among women.

Earlier studies have explored the link between social media use in general and an increase in the number of people seeking cosmetic surgery, but there is little data relating specifically to dating apps.

Study co-author Lauren Conboy of UniSA suggests a number of measures to combat the psychological impact of dating apps, including the inclusion of features that promote trustworthiness.

Consideration could also be given to implementing personalized matching algorithms to reduce the emphasis on appearance, and apps could offer built-in body image interventions, such as self-acceptance and self-esteem exercises, to alleviate the pressure to change a person’s appearance.

Online dating has become increasingly popular in recent years and the trend is expected to continue, with dating website eHarmony predicting that more than 70% of relationships will start online by 2040.

Study co-author Dr. John Mingoia, a psychology professor, says dating apps can create a healthier environment where users can connect without feeling the need to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

Researchers hope this study will help develop future interventions to improve the validity of information on dating apps, as well as help practitioners better identify the motivations of women who want to change their appearance.